I'm dealing with a similar "able and available" issue right now and this thread has been so reassuring! I made the same mistake of being completely honest about my limitations - I had to attend physical therapy twice a week for a work injury and dutifully reported it on my certifications thinking that was what I was supposed to do. What really helped me was realizing that "able and available" doesn't mean you have to be available 24/7 - it means you're genuinely seeking work within your realistic constraints. I've been documenting everything: my PT schedule, job applications I submitted that worked around those appointments, and even emails from potential employers about scheduling interviews. One thing I learned from a friend who won her appeal: make sure to emphasize that your limitations were TEMPORARY and that you were actively seeking work that could accommodate them. The judge needs to see that you weren't just sitting around waiting for benefits - you were genuinely trying to get back into the workforce despite legitimate obstacles. Also, if you haven't already, check if your medical provider can write a brief letter stating that your appointments were necessary but didn't prevent you from working. My PT wrote one sentence saying the treatments were essential for my recovery but didn't impact my ability to perform most job functions. It's not required, but every piece of supporting evidence helps. Hang in there - being honest shouldn't be punished, and the appeals process is there for exactly these kinds of situations!

I'm currently preparing for my own EDD appeal hearing and this entire thread has been incredibly valuable - thank you all for sharing your experiences and advice! One additional resource I wanted to mention: the California Department of Industrial Relations has a free guide called "Representing Yourself at an EDD Appeal Hearing" that walks through the entire process step by step. You can find it on their website under the appeals section. It includes sample questions judges typically ask and guidance on how to organize your evidence. Also, for anyone dealing with medical appointment conflicts like several people mentioned here - I found out that EDD's own handbook states that claimants can have "reasonable restrictions" on their availability as long as they don't substantially reduce employment opportunities. This language might be helpful to reference during your hearing. The stress of this process is real, but seeing how many people have successfully navigated similar situations is really encouraging. It sounds like preparation and honest documentation are key. Wishing everyone the best with their appeals!

I'm a social worker and deal with this issue regularly when helping clients access their benefits. One method that's worked well is contacting your local Legal Aid office - many have EDD specialists who can help navigate these bureaucratic issues for free. They often have direct contacts at EDD offices and can sometimes get information requests processed faster than individual requests. Also, if your father is over 65, some Area Agency on Aging offices have benefit counselors who specialize in helping seniors with EDD problems. They're familiar with all the workarounds and can sometimes advocate directly with EDD on your behalf. It might be worth calling around to see what resources are available in your area. The system is definitely frustrating, but there are advocates out there who deal with this stuff daily and know how to get results.

I'm going through this exact same situation with my mom right now! Reading through all these suggestions has been incredibly helpful. We've been stuck for weeks trying to get her payment amount, but I didn't realize there were so many different approaches we could try. The notarized letter idea and contacting Legal Aid are things I never would have thought of. Has anyone had success with the Area Agency on Aging route that Maya mentioned? My mom is 71 and this whole process has been really stressful for her. It would be great to have an advocate who knows the EDD system help us navigate this mess.

are u reporting ALL ur income?? cuz if u dont they will find out and make u pay everything back plus penalties. my roomate got caught and now owes like $8k

Hey Isaiah, I'm in a similar boat - been on UI since August and my balance is getting low too. One thing that helped me was calling EDD super early in the morning (like right when they open at 8am) - I actually got through after only 30 minutes on hold instead of the usual hours. The rep told me that if you're still actively looking for work and certifying, you can definitely file a new claim once your benefit year ends. Just make sure to keep documenting all your job search activities because they might ask for proof. Also, have you looked into any local workforce development programs? Some of them offer additional support or training that might help bridge the gap. Hang in there!

To all those having trouble reaching a human at California Unemployment. I just ran across this video that gave me a shortcut to reach a human. Hope it helps! https://youtu.be/Ize0EkN4HDI

I've been struggling to get through to EDD for weeks! The main number 1-800-300-5616 is always busy. Has anyone tried calling early in the morning right when they open? I heard that might increase your chances of getting through. Also wondering if there are specific days that tend to be less busy than others?

Just want to echo what others have said about documenting everything and being proactive. I actually had a similar situation where I received unexpected payment for what I thought was unpaid training, though mine was only about 6 months later, not 4 years! One thing that might help ease your mind - since this was genuinely unpaid orientation that you had no expectation of being compensated for, and the company is now doing retroactive payments as part of an audit, this shows a clear pattern that this wasn't standard practice at the time. That context really strengthens your case that this was an honest oversight. The written statement approach through UI Online sounds like the best plan. Make sure to mention that the company's HR confirmed this was part of a broader audit affecting multiple people - that shows this was a systematic issue on their end, not something you should have anticipated. Given the small amount and the circumstances, I really think you'll be fine. The fact that you're asking about it and want to do the right thing says a lot about your integrity. EDD deals with much bigger fish than this, and honest mistakes with good faith disclosure typically get resolved pretty smoothly.

I'm a newcomer here but wanted to share something that might be relevant to your situation. I actually work in payroll for a mid-sized company, and we've had to do similar audits where we discovered unpaid orientation time from years back. It's more common than you'd think, especially after labor law changes or when companies realize they weren't properly classifying certain activities as compensable time. From what I've seen, when companies do these retroactive payments, they usually have to file amended wage reports with the state. So there's a decent chance EDD might already have documentation that you earned this money in 2021, even though you're just receiving it now. The good news is that this creates a paper trail showing the payment was a legitimate business correction, not unreported income you were hiding. When you submit your written statement, definitely mention that this came from the company's internal audit - it demonstrates that neither you nor the company initially realized this orientation should have been paid. Based on the experiences others have shared here, it sounds like you're taking the right approach with the written statement through UI Online. The combination of the small amount, the time elapsed, and the clear documentation that this was an honest mistake should work in your favor. Good luck!